Honey from the Rock: An Easy Introduction to Jewish Mysticism

Quite simply, the easiest introduction to Jewish mysticism you can read.

An insightful and absorbing introduction to the ten gates of Jewish mysticism and how they apply to daily life. "There is a place that is as far from here as breathing out is from breathing in. For the word is very near to you. Where life forever holds gentle sway over death, where people are human witQuite simply, the easiest introduction to Jewish mysticism you can read.

An insightful and absorbing introduction to the ten gates of Jewish mysticism and how they apply to daily life. "There is a place that is as far from here as breathing out is from breathing in. For the word is very near to you. Where life forever holds gentle sway over death, where people are human with the same grace that a willow is a willow, where the struggle and the yearning between male and female is at last resolved.... It is to begin with, all inside us." from the Introduction

"In the past decade I ve read "Honey from the Rock" at least half a dozen times. Every time I read it I wonder if I have ever read it before. Either it keeps changing, or I do. Maybe it s both.... As someone told me: 'Lawrence Kushner is a mystic. He gives you flashes of insight.' from the Publisher s Preface to the Anniversary Edition...more

Community Reviews

I love this book. I often return to this, even just to read a single passage or section.

An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, however, I wouldn't call it. I feel that folks who read this with no background in the mystical tenets may have a slightly difficult time. Although the book covers basic ideas in mysticism, I feel the way they are presented may leave some folks in the dark.

Kushner has a unique--and very personal--way of presenting topics in Jewish mysticism, that I really love.

I would recoI love this book. I often return to this, even just to read a single passage or section.

An Introduction to Jewish Mysticism, however, I wouldn't call it. I feel that folks who read this with no background in the mystical tenets may have a slightly difficult time. Although the book covers basic ideas in mysticism, I feel the way they are presented may leave some folks in the dark.

Kushner has a unique--and very personal--way of presenting topics in Jewish mysticism, that I really love.

I would recommend this for anyone who would like to re-invigorate their study of Hebrew letters and/or basic ideas in mysticism, in a way that isn't textbook type explanations, or expository description....more

"There is a place that is as far from here as breathing out is from breathing in...It is, to begin with, all inside us. But because we are all miniature versions of the universe, it is also found far beyond."

"And that in each letter and each line and each crownlet of each letter are entrances to worlds of awareness."

This is a truly inspirational read. Kushner was recommended to me by a friend's uncle who while being a Christian minister also has a great respect and love of Judaism. This book helped me to open up my own heart to my Jewish heritage. The writing is profound, yet very accessible. It's one of those books that could be read again and again and gain further insight. Highly recommend.

Read for a book club. Not a book I would have picked up on my own, but I enjoyed it more than I expected. I would not really call this book an intro to Jewish mysticism because the author assumes a familiarity with Jewish texts and the book is sprinkled with quotes in Hebrew and Aramaic. However, his reflections and meditations on the texts provide much food for thought.